A daily selection from 150 years ago today in the "Official Records of the War of the Rebellion".

Monday, March 18, 2013

March 19, 1863 (Saturday): Mourning Pelham

Site of Pelham's Wounding (Civilwaralbum.com)

NEAR FREDERICKSBURG,
March 19, 1863.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President of the Confederate States:
Mr. PRESIDENT: On my arrival yesterday, learning that the enemy's
cavalry had retired across the Rappahannock, and that no effort was
being made by their infantry to cross the river, I countermanded the
orders for Pickett's and Hood's divisions to march in this direction,
and returned to Richmond the two battalions of heavy artillery, armed as
infantry, that I had brought up to Hanover Junction to guard our
stores, railroad bridges, &c.
General Stoneman's attempt seems to have proved fruitless to him. His
whole force was driven back by Fitz. Lee's small brigade. If he could
restore to us our gallant dead, I should be content. I mourn the loss of
Major Pelham. I had hoped that a long career of usefulness and honor
was still before him. He has been stricken down in the midst of both,
and before he could receive the promotion he had richly won. I hope
there will be no impropriety in presenting his name to the Senate, that
his comrades may see that his services have been appreciated, and may be
incited to emulate them.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,
General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 25, Part 2, Page 675.

Pelham was marked for greater things, as Lee's comments attest. He had been in combat an amazing number of days during his short career. Lee's desire to see Pelham posthumously promoted was gratified by the Senate when they approved his promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel.

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The 150th anniversary of the war has sparked a number of bloggers to build blogs that are reports on this day in the Civil War and (from what I've seen) do it very well. By focusing solely on what is in the Official Records (O.R.) my goal is to give you a look behind the major events at how the actors perceived what was unfolding before them. It is not possible to paint a comprehensive picture, but my hope is these brief posts will motivate readers to go off exploring on their own to fill in the blanks.

In addition to reports on major battles, there will occasionally be posts dealing with odd characters, misunderstandings, bitterness, and even humorous events. Because at the end of the day, war is an undertaking which exposes the best and worst in human nature.